Margarine is a spread used for flavoring, baking, and cooking, and it is most often used as a substitute for butter. Although originally made from animal fats, most margarine consumed today is made from vegetable oil. It is a water- in-fat emulsion, with tiny droplets of water dispersed uniformly throughout a fat phase in a stable solid form. Margarine must have a minimum fat content of 80 percent to be labeled as such in the United States, although the term is used informally to describe vegetable-oil-based spreads with lower fat content. It can be used as an ingredient in various food products such as pastries, doughnuts, cakes, and cookies
. Margarine is a blend of oils that are mostly unsaturated fat, and it is often considered a healthier alternative to butter, especially for heart health
. It is made from plant and/or animal fats, and most margarines are vegan, but some may contain animal-derived ingredients like milk, lactose, whey, or casein, making them unsuitable for vegans
